MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is revising the implementing rules and regulations of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Law for the IRR to conform with the recent ruling of the Supreme Court, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.
The high court declared the RH Law constitutional but considered eight provisions as unlawful.
Among those declared unlawful was the provision mandating penalties to RH providers who fail or refuse to disseminate information regarding RH services and programs.
Ona said the DOH is hoping to comply with the provision of drugs and devices for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care.
He said the DOH would purchase and distribute these directly to all government health facilities, midwives and nurses who would administer lifesaving drugs.
“Mothers may now be able to practice healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy within the context of free and informed choice, and taking into account fertility intentions and desired family size,†he added.
Ona also said that the DOH is committed to the immediate implementation of the RH law and expressed optimism that the court ruling did not weaken the RH Law that would enable the country to achieve its goal of reducing maternal and infant mortality nationwide.
“We are quite confident that the portions of the RH Law and its implementing rules not found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court will provide the necessary health policies and directives that will readily synergize with the critical areas,†he said.